5.3. SR 04-15-1996.ty of
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
ITEM 5.3.
MEMORANDUM
Mayor and City Council
Stephen Rohlf, Building and
Zoning Administrator
April 15, 1996 ~-
Lake Orono Conservation
Partners Grant from the
Department of Natural
Resources (DNR)
The DNR ranked the Lake Orono study 1 lth out of the 33 apphcations for a
Conservation Partners Grant. Since they ar~ only awarding 8 of these grants
it appears we will not receive one. The DNR's recommendation on who
receives these grants still needs to go to the Legislative Committee on
Minnesota Resources (LCMR) for final approval.
We know some of the projects that are being recommended by the DNR do
not have nearly the potential impact on people that ours does. The study will
look into sedimentation and other contamination in Lake Orono, a resource
used by thousands of people yearly. The Lake Orono Improvement
Association will be talking to legislators in the hopes that this people factor
will sway their final decision and we will still be awarded a grant.
Staff is recommending we proceed with the study on Lake Orono and assume
we will not be getting any help from the state. We would hke to still use the
money the County, City, Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and
Lake Orono Improvement Association committed to this project to match the
grant and start the study this summer. We would cut back on samphng
wherever possible, use more volunteer help, and if need be stretch the study
time period out until additional funding is available.
The following is a breakdown of the funding pledged by the various groups:
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Donor's Name Description Amount
SWCD Technical Support $ 1,500
City of Elk River
Field Services/
Technical Support/Cash
$ 5,500
Sherburne County
Technical Support/Cash $ 4,000
Lake Orono Improvement
Association
Field Samphng
$ 3,000
When you have a group of private citizens (the Lake Orono Improvement
Association) concerned enough to donate their time to protect a major
resource within the County, staff feels the City should support their effort.
The City's portion of this project is proposed to be funded by our
Environmental Fund created by a portion of the landfill surcharge we collect
Staff is recommending the City at least keeps its funding pledge of $5,500 in
place, or adds to it, even without the grant. We will be making a similar
request to the County and SWCD.
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